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Chapter 10:

I blink. I’m not sure I heard him right. Visitors from Sunnydale. That could only mean one thing.

“Buffy.” I say and he shakes his head.

“Among the few. I also saw Giles, Willow, a girl I don’t know who claims to be a Slayer, Xander, Faith, Dawn, that Andrew fellow and a man I don’t know.” Wesley said.

“All those people, huh. What do they want?” Spike asked.

“They won’t say. They’re demanding to speak to Angel. They won’t tell me or Gunn what they’re here for.”

“Well, Angel’s a little…”

“Yes, I know. Do you have any ideas?” Wesley asks.

I look over at Liam who’s intently listening to us talk. I can tell his interests are peeked because he’s got that look on his face.

“What happened?” Wesley asks pointing to Liam’s neck.

“A vampire bit me.” Liam says in a no nonsense voice.

Wesley raises an eyebrow at me.

“He knows about vampires. I was under the impression that we were keeping such… facts from him.”

“Yeah well you know how stubborn Angel is… times that by like a bloody thousand.” I say.

Wesley shakes his head as if he knows exactly what I’m talking about. He probably does.

“Who is this… Angel you keep speaking about?” Liam finally has the courage to ask. I smile pleasantly at him.

“No one, ducks. Why don’t you go into the other room and watch some TV. I think your favorite show is on…” He’s glaring at me as he gets out of the bed.

“If you think you can just placate me like I’m some sort of child, well then you’re wrong Spike. Now, why don’t we go see what these friends of yours want.” Liam says with a determined look on his face.

“It’s not that simple, Liam.” Wesley tries, but I don’t think Liam really likes Wesley.

Something to do with Wesley being extremely English. It’s a given that the Irish hate the English. I decide to let Wes try though. Can’t be worse at it then I am.

“And why not? Is it because of this Angel person? Is it because of how important I seem to be in many peoples lives.” Liam says.

“I told you you’re too smart for your own good.” I mutter.

Wesley gives me a look that says I’m not helping. I raise my hands in mock defense and back away.

“It has something to do with that, yes Liam. It also has to do with the fact that if you go down there with them things could get a little… out of hand. They obviously have some important business they want to attend to. You could get hurt.” Wesley says.

“You’re just trying to stop me from going down there. Well it’s not going to work. I’m coming down with you.” Liam says and oh boy he’s pouting.

I’m telling you he’s pouting and he looks a little like Angelus when he does that. No, Bad Spike. Now is not the time to think about your Sire.

“Okay, you’re not going to listen to reason, fine.” I say as I get up.

I pick him up and throw him over my shoulder while he’s kicking and screaming and haul him off into the bathroom. I set him down on the toilet and lock the door behind me as I stand right in front of it. He’s still pouting and cursing obscenities at me about everything including my parentage.

“We’re gonna stay in here and let Wesley deal with the ‘visitors’.” I say.

“But they want to speak to this Angel person. They won’t give him information if they don’t see this Angel person.” He says in a petulant tone.

“Well if they want their information then they’ll do it.”

“I don’t understand why you can’t just tell them where this Angel person is. Why you can’t just tell me where this Angel person is.”

I’m tempted to pull out a cigarette, but in this enclosed space so close to living breathing Liam, I’m not so sure that would be a good thing. Second hand smoke and all that and I’m not sure when I started thinking about his health. Must have been when that vamp was taking a bit outta him.

“Truth is, I don’t know where he is, ducks.” I say.

“Well, why not?”

“Because he got the mojo put on him and a Cheerleader and a… Irish lad like yourself have him somewhere.” I say.

He blinks and then hangs his head a little. Almost looks like he’s going to cry. He is after all just a little kid. Not really a little kid, but pretty much a little kid. He’s eighteen. That’s not old at all. The Scoobies are older than that and they’ve seen a hell of a lot more than he ever has.

“This is all very confusing.” He says.

“Glad you’ve caught onto that.” I mutter.

We’re quiet for a few minutes before he starts to speak again.

“Am… am I this Angel person. Is that why I’m so important. I must be like you to have lived so long… if I am this Angel person. And he’s important apparently and not here and I’m here, so am I him?” He asks in a small voice.

I can’t believe it. He figured it out all on his own. And here I was led to believe he was some stupid potato git that Her Royal Bitchiness found in a pub. Course that’s at least another eight years off so maybe he changed a bit.

“Nothing gets by you.” I say.

He smiles a bit, not a full-blown smile, but a real smile nonetheless.

“You keep telling me that I’m… smart. No one… no one’s ever really called me smart before.” He says.

“Well than those people can shove it because you are smart.” I say with a smile of my own.

“Couldn’t you maybe… explain to your visitors that, though I am this Angel person I’m not really him.”

“Couldn’t you just stay up here?”

“I… being left alone in this strange… I mean I’m not afraid, but… I’d like it better if I didn’t have to be alone.” He says and I look at him to see if he’s playing me, but he looks sincere. Could have to do with the vamp attack and I’ll have to tell him about vamps.

“So I’ll stay here with you.”

“But… Wesley doesn’t seem like… a leader.” Liam says and that could have to do with the fact that he doesn’t like Wesley, but no he’s being honest again.

“He’s just a bit frazzled about somethings.”

“A good leader doesn’t get… frazzled. He comes to you for everything. It seems to me that you’re the leader.” Liam says. I’m quiet for a second and I think he takes this time to formulate some kind of plan.

“You know… I know you’re trying to protect me for whatever reason you may have, but… you know these visitors. Do you really think they’re going to hurt me?”

“It’s not a matter of them hurting you intentionally. Bad things just seem to follow them.”

“Bad things seem to follow you.” He says. He must really think he won with this one. And he probably has.

“Well… I already cut your hair.” I say fondly.

“What’s the harm of exposing you to more?”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Liam’s POV

We take the elevator down. I’ve never been to this part of the building. I know there’s a lot more to the place I’ve been staying at then just my rooms. I’ve looked down to see that I was up pretty high. Spike wouldn’t let me out of the rooms though. He didn’t want me to get hurt. Tonight was actually the first time I’d been on an elevator.

Somehow I can’t believe that I was attacked by a vampire and that it had been tonight. It felt like such a long time ago. It seemed Spike has to deal with this quite often. I can see the weariness in his eyes. I know that look.

My father often has that look when it comes to me. It’s good to know that that look isn’t directed at me. I’ve wanted to question Spike about everything in this New World I happen to be in, but he’s very quiet about telling me, that was of course until I got bitten by a vampire.

I’m still berating myself for doing something so stupid. I mean I have never been in this world and Spike told me that it wasn’t safe. Vampires are amazingly strong. It must be why Spike it able to pick me up like I’m nothing more than a doll.

I look over at Spike who’s standing next to me, jaw twitching some. He’s agitated clearly, but he won’t speak. I figure it must have something to do with the fact that he’s anxious to meet these people whoever they are. I still can’t believe he’s a vampire.

There’s nothing abnormal about him. He even seems to be breathing. Granted he is fairly pale, but not deathly so. And he was standing in front of the windows in my rooms. I thought vampires were afraid of the sunlight. The whole experience is confusing. I don’t know what questions to ask or what to say. Nothing seems to be phrased right.

Wesley keeps staring at me through the corner of his eyes. He thinks I don’t know it, but I do. He gave Spike a questioning stare when Spike said I was going with them, but backed off when Spike gave him a glare.

As if daring the other man to say something. Wesley silently retreated. It really furthered my belief that Spike is the leader of them. He has to be to have that kind of power. They’re just deferring to him constantly.

The elevator door chimes and it opens. Wesley steps out first, then Spike his hand on my wrist as he pulls me with him. It’s a fairly big group. I recognize two of them immediately.

Charles Gunn and that demon thing named Lorne are arguing with an older man with light brown hair and a British accent and a small petite blonde that looks slight underfed. She’s waving her arms about wildly and almost screaming while the older man stands passively to the side. Charles is trying to calm her down without much luck.

The rest of the group ranges from ages and gender. There’s a girl dressed very much like the one in the bar tonight standing with her hands on her hips her eyes slightly wide with surprise. A black man stands next to her his arm around her shoulder as though he were trying to protect her, but she doesn’t really look like she needs protecting. He seems to be angry his jaw twitching much like Spike’s was.

Standing a few feet away from them is a man with an eye patch like a pirate. His mouth is hung open and his one eyes is opened wide. His hair is cut short like Spike’s and he appears to be just as underfed as the blonde girl. Standing next to him is a tall girl, not that much younger than me by the looks of it perhaps just as old, with long brown hair and bright blue eyes which are also opened wide.

Next to them are two girls. The brown haired one has short hair and isn’t really much to look at though she’s standing much like the girl with the black man. Her arm is thrown over the shoulders of a very pretty red head with a staring streak of white in it who’s frowning slightly. Her bright green eyes are also open in surprise.

The only one that doesn’t seem surprised is a short blonde haired man with blue eyes who’s smirking in a self-satisfied way. It’s a fairly interesting group.

“Um… Buffy, you might wanna take a look at this.” The man with the eye patch says.

“Xander what are you talking…” The blonde haired girl now has a look of surprise in her eyes as does the older man who promptly takes of his glasses to clean them.

“Spike.” She whispers in an almost reverent tone.

“What are you… you died.” She says. I look over at Spike who’s got a small smirk on his face.

“No one ever stays dead in Sunnydale, luv. You should know that.” Spike says softly.

I see the fleeting look of affection in his eyes, but it goes away replaced by determination. Perhaps this is the girl that Spike talked about loving. She’s not all that pretty. He could do better.

“Right, but… why didn’t you… I mean why didn’t you try to find us?” She asks.

“I was going to, but… well my services were better served here.” Spike says.

“And how is it that your services are needed at an evil law firm.” The older British guy says his voice firm and stern.

“It’s not evil anymore. I been trying to tell them that for the last twenty minutes. Finally had to send Wes here to get the militia.” Charles says.

“Thanks for that Charlie boy.” Spike says.

“I know Wolfram and Hart. Angel, man, how could you work for them?” The girl next to the black man said. They all looked over to me and shifted nervously.

“I told you this was a bad idea.” Wesley whispers to Spike.

“Just roll with it.” Spike says. They’re still looking at me.

“Well, Angel, you got an answer for that one.” The tall brown haired girl asks.

“I…” I begin to say, but Spike steps in.

“Look, why are you here? If you’re here to berate us than you’re wasting your time. Angel has his reasons for moving to Wolfram and Hart, none of which I know or Percy or Charlie and Big Green for that matter and he can read people. And as it were Angel isn’t here right now.” Spike says.

The all begin to look at him with confused expressions.

“Spike, now we know you burnt up extra crispy in the Hellmouth and yeah thanks for you know saving the world an all, but Angel’s standing right next to you… granted he looks a bit younger, but that could be the whole one eye thing.” Xander says.

What an unusual name Xander is.

“Hey if you can do it I can do it too… and you’re right, he is younger. This ain’t Angel. This is Liam. It’s kinda complicated.” Spike says.

“Who’s Liam?” Xander asks.

“If I’m correct in my research… Angel’s Liam. Liam is Angel… before he was turned. Spike are you trying to say that this is Angel’s human counterpart before he was… turned.” The older British man says.

“Right you are, Giles. At the age of eighteen to be exact.” Wesley says.

“So… he’s human.” Buffy says and all of a sudden she’s staring at me with great interest. It’s slightly unnerving.

“For now… at least until we figure out what the hell it is the Powers are playing at. They can be cryptic bastards when they want to be.” Charles says.

“Do you know why they’re doing this?” Giles asks with interest.

“Hell if I know. Those wankers just like pissing us off I guess. Now, could someone please tell me why you all decided to visit or humble little law firm.” Spike asks.

“Oh, well, Giles got your message, or Angel’s message really, about needing to do a re-ensoulment. Took me awhile to find out everything I could about what was done to poor Fred, but I think, with the right amount of power and ingredients and time I could bring Fred back.” The red head says.

Spike smiles at her a big bright smile, walks over to her and pulls her in his arms twirling her around a bit. She lets out a squeal before he puts her down.

“That is the best news we’ve gotten in a long time. And you, Red, look fabulous… you are fabulous. Like the hair, very X-Men.” Spike says with a bright smile on his face. Charles is smiling too as well as the big green demon. Wesley looks hesitant.

“Are you… are you absolutely positive. I’ve done a fair amount of researching on the subject and have come up with nothing that would be of use. I just… I don’t want to get my hopes up.” Wesley says.

“I know you guys’ve got access to stuff I’ve never even seen before, but I’m pretty sure I’ve got it. The whole spell itself is pretty tricky. We have to exorcise Illyria out of Fred’s body. There’s a very small window of opportunity after that.

“The damage to Fred’s body is probably big and while I’m performing the exorcism I’ll also have to be making Fred’s body stronger. I’ll only have a few seconds to call her soul forth. If it doesn’t work then at least Illyria will be gone and I could probably send Fred’s soul somewhere nicer, but if it does…”

“Fred’s back.” Spike says.

“Precisely.” The red head says.

“We’d need a few days to perfect it. The spell calls for some ingredients that are rather hard to get a hold of. Willow and I figured that you would be able to… ascertain these ingredients.” Giles says. Spike looks over at Wesley who has been stalk still since hearing the news. Wesley nods and Spike starts to speak.

“We can get these ingredients no problem. Leave the list with Wes here.” Spike says. Giles nods and opens his mouth again.

“Perhaps, while we’re waiting, you can fill us in on how you… came to be… undead again.” Giles says.

Spike glares at him.

“I’m not your little Watcher experiment. I got nothing to say to you.” Spike says.

“Then maybe you can tell us why Liam is here.” Buffy says with a pleasant smile on her face.

“I don’t know. The Powers thought it ‘imperative’.” Spike says in a frustrated tone he gets some times when I’m asking him questions about this world.

“Dude, you need to like, lighten up. When’s the last time you went out and killed something?”

“Faith not everything is about killing things.”

“Chill, Robin, all I’m saying is boy looks like he could use a good time.” They glare at each other for a little while before Faith turns back to Spike.

“Seriously, though, when was the last time you went out and had a good time.” Faith asks.

“I took Liam out to a club tonight.” Spike says.

“Yeah, but did you actually have a good time.” Faith says glancing at him suggestively just like that girl in the bar.

“You took someone from the 18th century to a 21st century club?” The tall brown haired girl asks in a disapproving tone.

“It wasn’t like that Nib… Dawn. Liam here was getting a bit restless.” Spike says.

“Which doesn’t really explain the bandage on his neck… he slip and scrap his neck on vampire fangs. And does he talk?” The short brown haired girl standing next to the red head asks.

“Of course I talk. I’m not some sort of… mute invalid.” I say a bit angry. I don’t like her. She’s got this snotty attitude to her that reminds me of my father.

“See he’s a fully functioning guy.” Spike says in an attempt to do what he calls ‘damage control’.

She merely rolls her eyes her attention turned back to the red head. Her fingers lightly stroke Willow’s arm in such an intimate manner that it confuses me.

“He’s a fully functioning *human* guy.” Buffy says.

“Well, yeah, but he’s going back to his time… soon.” Spike says with a hint of uncertainty in his eyes.

“And he doesn’t remember anything as Angel… anything as Angelus.” Xander asks.

“Nothing at all. I’m afraid the Powers gave us the actually Liam. Any harm that comes to him, say death, and the world will change almost reprehensibly.” Wesley says.

“Won’t it already… considering he now knows about vampires and stuff like that.” Dawn asks.

“Well, the Powers aren’t exactly known for the brains.” Lorne says something for the first time since I rode down in the elevator.

“Yeah more like their blundering mistakes.” Charles says resentment in his voice.

“Look the truth is we don’t know what they’re playing at. We’re just playing their puppets. Now if you’ll excuse us… I think it’s time for someone to go to bed after all the excitement of one night. Wes… you’ll show them where they can sleep and what not.” Spike says grabbing a hold of my wrist.

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay? I mean we just got here and there’s some much catching up to do. Are you sure you wouldn’t want to come with us to get a drink or something.” Buffy says.

At first I think she’s talking to Spike, but her eyes are on me. I’m sure I pull a face at the thought. She’s a pretty girl, Buffy, but she’s not exactly to my tastes.

“I don’t think so… now if the pretty red head Willow…” Buffy frowns a bit. I can hear Spike sigh beside me.

“She’s got syphilis, pet.” He whispers into my ear. I frown.

“Does every girl in this New World have syphilis?”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Spike’s POV They’ve been here for eight days. Eight whole days. That’s a week and a day. I’m surprised Big Blue hasn’t found out about their little plan to send her ass back to the underground resting place she came from.

Wesley says she’s taken a great interest in the weapons room and rarely comes out. I often wonder what she does in there, but I really could careless. It’s her business. Of course hopefully if Red’s spell goes right she’ll be gone.

I’ve been avoiding them for the most part. Faith is the only one that’s even dared to try and talk with me. We’ve gone patrolling once, but after to seeing the look in the principal’s eyes I decided it wasn’t worth the trouble. She seems to just be playing around with him though, but I’m not about to ask the question.

I’ve seen Xander around a bit too which doesn’t bother me as much as it used to, having him around that is. He seems to be turning a new leaf or something like that. Must be because he’s missing his demon girl. I can’t say I blame him. She was a good person, Anya.

I’ve been trying to keep Liam inside the penthouse since they’ve arrived. He’s expressed an interest in Red, which isn’t that off the mark. She’s got red hair. From what I remember about Angelus’s taste in victims, red heads were at the top of his list.

He said they were rare or something like that. He said that she’s very pretty. I asked what he thought about Buffy and he said she looked underfed. Those were his exact words. Underfed… she certainly did get skinnier as time went by.

Buffy. I’ve been avoiding here. Perhaps it’s because I don’t want her false promises of love or maybe it’s because I don’t want to see that gleam in her eye as she asks me about ‘human’ Angel. Liam is nothing like Angel or Angelus. I’m not even sure she’d like him much.

He’s a guy. He likes looking at girls. He likes drinking. He’s smart, sure I’ve said that a number of times, but he’s got old-fashioned views about women. Not only that he’s not tortured and broody. He’s out going and talks and laughs. Despite what Buffy says she’s gotten used to having a guy who will be there for her beck and call and keep her as their whole world. It’s got nothing to do with her, it’s just the type she’s gotten used to.

Right now I’ve kept the door to the penthouse locked so Liam doesn’t go out without my knowledge. I’ve decided I need a little air. He didn’t put up much of a fight. He says he doesn’t like half of the people that are supposed to be our new ‘visitors’.

I’m wandering around aimlessly hoping Wesley will pull me into his office and tell me there’s a bunch of demons to kill. Instead I ran into Buffy and Willow. Great, I should have just stayed in the penthouse.

“Well, look you’re out of hiding. And here I thought you were never going to come out.” Red says.

“Yeah, well, I needed a little air. It’s a bit stifling staying with him all the time telling him what works how it works. He’s starting to get a grasp of technology.” I say.

“Yeah, must be tough. So… he’s doing better?” Buffy asks and the interest in her voice is just a little too much.

This is the same girl that was trying to tell me that she loved me before I burnt up in the Hellmouth.

“Yeah, it’s not like he was attacked by a pack of rabid dogs. He’s fine.” I say.

“Yeah and he seems to think that ever girl has syphilis.” Willow says.

I smirk over at her.

“Sorry, he was trying to get into Harmony’s pants… I told him she had syphilis. Then back in the big office with him trying to come onto you… just don’t think it would be entirely safe for him to…engage in those kinds of relationships.” I say.

“Yeah, but syphilis?”

“People died of it back in his day. Now just a shot and it’s cleared right up, but he don’t know that.” I say.

“Did he say anything about me?” Buffy says as innocently as she can.

“Um… he said he thought you were nice.” I say. It’s better to just lie to her.

“Do you know how long he’s going to stay like that?”

I should be annoyed. I should be very annoyed. I should be acting like the old Spike, maybe piss on her to claim my territory or something equally lewd. Why am I not, you ask. Because I don’t think I love her anymore. I think I got over her sometime between the Cheerleader dying and Fred dying. Good to know I can map important dates by big deaths.

Although this could be the whole sleeping with Angelus not too long ago. Every time he makes an appearances I go all… wonky to steal a word from the Scoobies. So Buffy doesn’t give me the time of day, doesn’t seem interested in the fact that I’m alive… it doesn’t bother me… and for some reason that’s what bothers me.

Angelus is gone. Never coming back gone and I’m stuck with this human version of him. Liam really isn’t all that different from Angelus. He has none of Angelus’s blood lust, but he’s just as horny, if not more horny. He’s smart and has a dark humor about him. Being stuck with Liam… it’s not so bad. That bothers me as well. I should hate having to baby-sit my Sire’s human form, but I don’t. I actually enjoy it. He’s good conversation.

“Well, Cheerleader said that it wasn’t until he figured out something. They were very vague… and cryptic. I’m guessing this is some sort of test for Angel.” I say.

“So he will go back to being a vampire?” She asks.

“Yeah, eventually. Took about two or three weeks last time… when he was Angelus.”

“He was Angelus… did you guys have any problems?”

“No, none at all. Locked him up in one of Wolfram and Harts mega mojo cages and all was well.” I say.

“Well, what triggered his last change?” Red asks.

“Huh?”

“His last change. What triggered it? If you knew what triggered it you could use that to trigger it again.”

“Oh, well… we don’t know exactly what triggered it. Anyway the Cheerleader and the Mick already said that he had to do this on his own so… we tried, but then gave up.” I say.

“Oh well, I guess if you tried… I could help.” Red says.

“No, you fix one of our magical problems first. Get Fred back.” I say.

“That’s what we were coming to tell you. It’s time.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Liam’s POV

Spike thought he locked me in. He was wrong. I wanted to know where he was going. He disappeared once with that Faith girl and that Robin guy got mad at him. I don’t know why though. It looked as though Faith was interested in Spike.

Her attraction wouldn’t be a stupid one. Spike’s a great man. I’ve spent some time with him in the time that I’ve been here and I still can’t understand why he doesn’t have a lass.

Perhaps he wants the one that was inviting me to drinks. Maybe him and this Angel person both had her and she liked the Angel person more. Though I think Spike would hate me if that were the case. He doesn’t seem to hate me. besides

I don’t think I’d ever go after someone like Buffy… Willow of course, even Faith and Dawn, but Buffy. She’s come up to the penthouse a few times as has Wesley and Giles along with Xander and sometimes Willow who avoids me. I don’t think she likes me very much which is sad.

I can see Buffy glare at me or Willow whenever I try and talk to her. It’s kind of sad. I’m flattered that she’s taken with me, but I just don’t see anything in her. Not to be mean or anything. If I was looking for a quick leg over… maybe.

Xander comes over the most often. He and Spike have beers and watch ‘sports’. Maybe Spike is friends with Xander and he just got goaded into taking care of me, but he said I was important. That must mean that I’m important to him.

I would really like it if Spike and I were friends. I don’t even care that he’s English. I think of us as friends at least I hope we are. Anyway I don’t know why it matters. I don’t even have any friends, why start now.

So I find myself wandering the halls. The visitors have taken the rooms close to mine and Spike’s and perhaps I can find some enjoyable conversation. Dawn’s really nice to talk to. Anyone so long as it isn’t Buffy.

One of the doors is open so I walk over to it and I hear murmured voices. I can’t help it if I’m a bit curious so I look in. There I see Willow lying on the bed her fingers caressing Kennedy’s— I found out her name a few days ago— and Kennedy’s fingers running through Willow’s hair. Willow looks really tired.

“That spell took a lot out of you, huh.” Kennedy says her fingers touching Willow’s forehead.

“Yeah, but it was worth it. Did you see how happy they all were? I just wish Angel was here. He really loved Fred. He’d be so happy that she’s back.” Willow says leaning into Kennedy’s touch.

“I don’t think anyone could be happier than Wesley was… or Spike for that matter. Did you see how he picked her up and twirled her around… like how he did to you? Almost got a little jealous when he did that.” Kennedy says with a pout on her face.

“Aw, you don’t have to worry. Sure Spike’s a very good looking guy. I mean who could deny the hotness, but I’ve got you. Anyway I thought it was cute how he noticed she was naked and threw his duster on her. Sort of like an older brother trying to protect his little sister.” Willow says.

Kennedy’s fingers strayed down to Willow’s nose and then lips. Willow kissed them and I was… confused. It wasn’t the first time that something in this New World confused me. It was like something I’d do with another girl yet here were two lasses doing it to each other. I decided to listen further.

“I thought Buffy had a thing for Spike. Seemed like it in Sunnydale. Always sticking up for him. Now we come here and she seems to be throwing herself over that Liam Angel guy.” Kennedy says.

“Well, Buffy and Angel have a history. It’s kind of funny though that she would try and jump at the chance to get Angel as human, but I’ve talked to him. He’s not Angel. He’s very different from Angel… I’m not sure which I like better. Still… I don’t think Buffy would like Liam much if she talked with him. She’s just in love with the idea of Angel being human.” Willow says as Kennedy’s hand start to caress her sides and breasts.

“That’s certainly flip flopping. Poor Spike. He actually seemed fairly in love with her. Though he just seems annoyed with her now.”

“Yeah very annoyed. They don’t even like to be in the same room with each other. Xander certainly seems to be taking an interest in Spike though. Perhaps someone has a crush.”

“Yeah, Xander told me he kind of liked guys too. I expected it though I didn’t think he’d go after Spike.”

“Doesn’t stand much of a chance. We are leaving tomorrow.”

“Yeah and Buffy and Spike haven’t even utter mort then for words to each other. I don’t know how it changed so fast, but they changed… for the worst I guess.”

“I guess love does that to some people.” Kennedy says. “Not us though.” Willow says in a rather breathless tone.

“No, definitely not to us.” Kennedy says and they start to kiss.

Very passionately in fact as though it were a prelude to sex. In fact Kennedy seems to be trying to talk off Willow’s shirt. I back away slowly.

This New World is definitely confusing.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Spike’s POV

Fred’s back. Fred’s BACK. FRED IS BACK!!! It’s such a great thing. I had to hug her. Had to twirl her around. Of course it wasn’t until realized she was naked that I let her go. Then I threw my duster on her.

We spent time talking before she was carted off by Wesley. I’m happy that they get to be happy. I didn’t clue her into the whole Liam thing. I thought that could wait for the morning. Right now she and the Watcher need to get reacquainted… or better acquainted as it might be.

So I’m walking back to the penthouse in high spirits. FRED IS BACK!!! Did I say that yet? Well so what if I did.

FRED IS BACK!!!

I open the door and find Liam sitting on the couch. The TV’s off and the lights are dim. This doesn’t look like a good sign. He really isn’t moving much.

“Liam… is something wrong?” I ask.

He turns around to face me. He’s got that confused look on his face that I’ve come to know. He’s confused a lot being in the 21st century.

“Nothing… it’s nothing. I just… I saw something that… I’ve never seen before.” He stutters out.

“Oh, and what was that?” I ask. He’s quiet for a second.

“Is it common practice for women to engage in… sexual actions with another woman?” He asks.

It’s a bit of an odd question. He must have saw Red and her little Slayer making out or something. Though I don’t know why it would be new news to him. I’m sure Catholics talked about sins like that. That’s probably what’s bugging him.

“The world’s a bit more… open minded nowadays, Liam. Where in your time that would have been seen as… disgusting, it’s more tolerated here… now.”

“And men… sometimes find other men attractive?” He asks.

I really don’t know where he got that from, unless Angel has some gay porno I don’t know about. It’s possible I haven’t searched every inch of the penthouse.

“Sometimes.” I say truthfully.

“And people… they accept this as normal?”

“Well, some people don’t. In fact a lot of people don’t, but like I said more people are open minded nowadays. In fact men sometimes like to watch women with other women.” I say. Maybe that was going a little far considering the look on his face.

“Why wouldn’t they just won’t to be with one of those women?”

“I don’t know. It’s a… it’s a thing, Liam. Something I can’t really explain.”

“You don’t find it attractive?”

“I didn’t say that. It’s… I guess I’m like you. I’d rather just shag one of them.”

“What about men with other men… are you attracted to that?” Liam asks.

“Where would you get that idea?” I say a little panicked. I have no idea how he’s going to react to all this.

“Nowhere… it’s just… Xander, he’s been around a lot. And you told me that you had someone you cared about… and I heard Willow and Kennedy talk about Xander having a… crush on you.” He says in explanation.

Xander, the whelp… well I guess it’s possible. Definitely smelled pheromones on him once or twice. He’s not hard on the eyes. Dark brown hair and brown eyes like someone else I know… no not going down that road.

“I’m not adverse to it, but… Xander’s just… well a friend really. Nothing more than that.”

“Oh well… have you ever… been with another man.” He asks.

I know I’m looking at him with a shocked expression. I can’t believe he asked that question.

“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to pry or imply… I’ve just… I should go to bed.” He says getting up fast and walking over to his room.

“I’m sorry.” He says turning to me with big worried eyes.

“It isn’t a problem.” I say and he smiles before closing the door to his room.

Holy

Crap

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Liam’s POV

I didn’t mean to ask him that. I really didn’t. The words just came out of my mouth. I’ve never thought about men that way… not really. I mean I’ve heard some of my friends talk about it, but I never did it.

Why when there were beautiful girls around. I’ll admit to being interested into how it all works, but I can’t believe I asked him that… it was… I’m just shocked at my behavior.

I hope he still wants to be my friend.

Chapter 11

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